At the IAU-OAD we are exploring ways to use astronomy for sustainable socioeconomic development. Astrotourism, or tourism activities involving the night sky, have the potential to generate economic benefits in a way that both contribute to sustainable development and protect the natural resource of dark skies. Our Astrotourism flagship directly links astronomy and tourism, harnessing its potential for economic growth and its capacity to give back to communities in underdeveloped areas.
While there are many independent astrotourism initiatives around the world, including ones funded by the IAU-OAD, we noticed that there currently isn’t a central point for astrotourism practitioners to exchange knowledge, best practices, and collaborate. As a first step towards facilitating a broader, more global astrotourism community, we want to better understand astrotourism initiatives around the world and their structure, operations, challenges, and broader goals.
If you are running an astrotourism initiative, please fill out this survey to help us better understand astrotourism globally, and plan ways in which we can better support the global community to run their initiatives sustainably and effectively.
Survey